Soppin’ Wet
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "sopping wet" means completely soaked or drenched through. It’s a vivid, down-home way to describe being wet all over.
synonyms: soaking wet, drenched, dripping wet
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I use the phrase 'soppin’ wet' on a regular basis - and it's pretty common out in the country. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I use the phrase 'soppin’ wet' on a regular basis - and it's pretty common out in the country. Pronunciation
[SOP-pin WET]
/ˈsɑː.pɪn wɛt/
/ˈsɑː.pɪn wɛt/
Meaning & Usage
- Completely soaked (adjectival phrase)
Hazel:
You’d best change clothes - you’re soppin’ wet.
You’d best change clothes - you’re soppin’ wet.
Roy:
Didn’t have time to grab a coat before that storm hit.
Didn’t have time to grab a coat before that storm hit.variations: soppin’ wet, soppin wet, sopping-wet
Origin and Etymology
From the verb sop ("to soak up liquid"), used since the 1300s. In Southern and Appalachian English, the intensified phrase "sopping wet" or "soppin’ wet" became a fixed expression meaning "so wet you could drip." The dropped g reflects common regional pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Though "sopping wet" is understood throughout English, it’s especially common in Southern and Appalachian speech, often pronounced "soppin’."
- Used for people, clothes, or anything soaked through.
- Can appear in exaggeration or humor: "He was soppin’ wet just walkin’ to the mailbox."
- Related forms include "sop it up" (to soak liquid with bread) and "soppy" (soaked or sentimental).